Kenya's national women's netball team, the Divas, opened their Netball World Cup Sydney 2027 Africa Qualifier campaign with a convincing 61-40 victory over Nigeria at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on Saturday. The hosts made a strong start, taking a 19-9 lead in the opening quarter. They extended their advantage to 37-20 at half-time, setting the tone for the rest of the match. The win gives Kenya an early lead in Pool Two, which also features Malawi, Uganda, and Zambia.
The match was part of the Africa Qualifier for the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia. According to World Netball, 10 teams are taking part in the African qualifier, with Kenya hosting Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The top two teams will be invited to compete at the 2027 Netball World Cup, although South Africa and Uganda have already qualified through their world ranking.
Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports CS Salim Mvurya, in a speech read on his behalf, highlighted Kenya's capacity to stage major international sporting events. He noted that the championship would provide an opportunity to showcase Kenya's sporting facilities, hospitality, cultural diversity, and tourism attractions. Mvurya added that the Government remains committed to talent development, sports excellence, gender inclusion, and youth empowerment through sport.
Kenya captain Parin "Sister" Simiyu attributed the team's performance to improved transition play and the support of the home crowd. She thanked Kenyans for turning out to support the team, saying the home crowd had given the players an added boost. Simiyu expressed gratitude for the victory, saying it was a result of hard work and dedication.
The competition, which runs from September 19 to 26, is serving as the African regional qualifier for the 2027 Netball World Cup. Kenya Netball Federation President Immaculate Kabutha welcomed the participating teams and emphasized the importance of discipline, fair play, and mutual respect. She acknowledged World Netball and South Africa for their contribution to the development of netball in Kenya.
Kabutha called on Kenyans to turn out in large numbers and support the participating teams, particularly the national side. She highlighted the significance of the facility at Kasarani, which was donated by World Netball and South Africa, and provides athletes with an environment that reflects international standards. The Africa qualifier is part of the regional qualification process for the 2027 Netball World Cup.
Kenya will face Malawi at 2 p.m. on Sunday in their second pool match. The team's next match will be crucial in determining their chances of qualifying for the 2027 Netball World Cup. With a convincing win over Nigeria, the Divas have set a positive tone for their campaign.
Key points
- The Kenya Divas won their opening match of the Netball World Cup Sydney 2027 Africa Qualifier with a score of 61-40 against Nigeria.
- The competition is serving as the African regional qualifier for the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia, with the top two teams earning a spot in the tournament.
- The Kenya Netball Federation President, Immaculate Kabutha, emphasized the importance of discipline, fair play, and mutual respect among the participating teams.
